HAF X SHort/Static on front USB Panel

I have a fairly new (3 weeks old) HAF X chassis with Crosshair IV wAMD 1090T BE, Corsair 850W PS and the other usual suspects, OPtical, WD 600GB Raptor, etc.. I have recently been using the front panel USB 2 port and for some reason, as I attempt to plug in a memory stick, as soon as it comes into contact with the metal outer shield of the USB port, I lose video, the sound system thumps and it just sits there. Sometimes I will get a restart beep and it reboots, sometimes it just sits there until I hold down the power button to restart. It never loses power which leads be to believe that I am introducing enough voltage to provide an arc to a shorted wire which is then causing the MB to flip out. Kind of a whacky hunch, but that is what it seems like.

After inserting the stick into a laptop and using the "safely remove" feature, if I move to the front panel of the HAF straight way, it will occur. If I ground out the stick, meaning I touch it to something made of metal that allows it to discharge, it does not happen. I've tried two completely different memory sticks, same thing.

So far, I have not been able to replicate just using my finger, so I suspect the mem stick is holding a bit more of a charge, but not sure. This is a very aggrevating problem. I have seen posts on other firums where it is also happening to folks when plugging in the HD audio headphones, but I just did that with a pair of powered dr. dre's and no problems.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I did send CoolerMaster an E-mail. If they respond with "give us your address so that we can ship you an new front I/O panel", then I will pretty much know it is the HAF X front panel that is defective.

I'm inclined to go with the shorting out theory. First thing I would do is open the case and retrace every piece of wiring to make sure it's seated correctly and securely. Then following the same process, check for any wires that may have a rip/tear or cut in it. It doesn't take much to nick a wire inside a case with all those sharp metal edges. If a nicked wire is making contact or close proximity to metal, there is your arch and your problem.

Thanks Bass, I kind of knew that would be the next step in the process, but was hoping for miracale answer I guess :) - I'll update once I get through that, I am suspecting a pinched or poked wire around the front panel board as I've seen in other forums. Just wanted to bounce the problem off of the forum that I trust.

The potential for a short is highly possible in the front/top panel board area, especially if you've installed the "optional" 2nd 200mm fan. The front panel cable set runs right along the outer edge of where the additional fan must rest. To say that it is a tight fit is an understatement, it is more like you have to force the front/top panel back into place, so I fully expect to find something screwed up in that area as I did install the extra fan.

Yeah, I would definitely check for a short or pinched wire somewhere. I've had my HAF X case for about 5 months and haven't had any issues myself.

Again, check for a short or pinched wire.

Let us know

Ok - Took it all apart and did not find any exposed or damaged wires. Re-routed the wires back around the fan housing and put the top on, clicked into place without forcing anything. The problem is that I am extremely hesitant to test it again since it involves shocking the MB into a restart. So I put in a request with Cooler Master for another I/O panel board. Once I get that and replace it, I'll test and update.

That's probably a good move.

Thanks for the update.

Wouldn't be the first Cooler Master case with that sort of problem,

HAF-X issues with dead mobo and burned firewire chip - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

Coolermaster 932 HAF-X serious issues

PC reboots if someone walk by

The problem is that I am extremely hesitant to test it again since it involves shocking the MB into a restart.

Good idea till you get a new one from CM, as the first link indicates the possibility of killing the motherboard from it.